Sat, 05 Jan 2019 05:03:28 -0700WeeblyWed, 07 Feb 2018 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.gamersfuntruck.com/blog/video-games-as-an-equalizerWe started Gamers Fun Truck 3 years ago, because we have 3 boys and we thought they would love to have their birthday parties in a video game truck. They were, of course, our invaluable consultants when it came to designing and building the trucks. And they also have worked in the trucks from the beginning. We have all learned a lot along the way, but there is one thing that I didn’t realize about video games, that running this business has taught me. Video games are a great equalizer.

Letting kids play video games gets a bad rap these days. I think parents can all agree, there needs to be some limits, and physical activity should never be replaced with on-screen time. However, there is something about video games that make them, in one way, different than other activities. Everyone can play them. And everyone can play them together.

Over the last three years, we’ve helped kids include their friend in a wheelchair in their party. We allowed kids with physical limitations have a birthday party that all their friends enjoyed. We’ve seen kids on the spectrum play along side their friends of every personality type and ability level. Shy kids play quietly sitting back, while in the same game an excited one jumps up and down and shouts at the screen. And they all have smiles on their faces.

We also see people of every background, age and gender play together. Video games equalize the differences. Adults play with teens and teens play with younger kids. Guests in the trucks switch games, meet and connect with new people, and they instantly have something in common with those new people…the game they all like to play. Players help each other learn new games, challenge each other on their favourite games, and laugh together while playing silly games. ​Imagine a birthday party at a gymnastics centre, bowling alley or swimming pool. Those are great parties, super fun, our kids have had them and been to them and they loved each one. But there are some kids who can’t participate. With a party in a video game truck like Gamers Fun Truck, everyone can play. Anyone can find a game they like, compete or cooperate in a virtual world, and anyone can win! It isn’t something we thought of 3 years ago when we started, but it is definitely one of the coolest parts of what we do.

For me, sometimes, planning the birthday party is almost more fun than the party itself.​ This is especially true if we come up with a great party theme! And there are lots of themes that work well with Gamers Fun Truck parties.

The obvious choice is Minecraft, and let me tell you, I wish the Gamers Fun Truck had existed when we did our son's Minecraft party! Put the super fun Minecraft decorations, cupcakes and favours together with two hours of playing the game in the truck, that would have been awesome! (FYI: That black tape that I used to turn my dining table into a crafting table, it ruined the finish on the table. But it was mostly worth it.)

Another popular theme is Lego. This one is pretty easy as far as decorations and favours. You can used the Lego that is already all over your house! And in Gamers Fun Truck, you can start the party with your child's favourite Lego video games, like Lego Batman, Star Wars, Jurassic World and Ninjago.

One of my kids' favourite birthdays was their Star Wars themed one. Don't get me wrong, 12 boys hitting each other with plastic light sabres in my basement was exciting, but had they been battling each other with virtual light sabres in the Gamers Fun Truck, I might have been a little less anxious.

A theme that makes me wish one of my kids had a February birthday this year is the Winter Olympics. Finding Olympic themed decorations and favours would be easy right now. Add in Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games, plus a few more sports related video games, and you've got a great themed party! (We can even organize an NHL hockey tournament in the truck!)

Of course, you don't need to have any theme at all for your kids to have a great party in Gamers Fun Truck. But if you are like me, and you kind of enjoy adding the little extras to your kids' parties, check out our Pinterest page for more ideas. And share your party ideas with us, as well!

A Canadian company named Quantum Integrity Software Inc. just received more than 200% of the needed funding to develop a Calgary based zombie survival game named Dead Matter. Grab your baseball bats and your shotguns we are storming the Calgary tower! I have lots of experience with games similar to this but I think the most exciting part is going to be running around downtown in the game and recognizing my surroundings. I've lived in Calgary my entire life and to see a Canadian company representing us in the gaming industry like this is amazing.

On to the game! Surviving is most important, find a spot and set up shop. Collecting and managing resources is going to be very important when starting out as well as developing a food and water supply. The game has a crafting system but venturing out to find all the materials needed will be dangerous. There will be multiplayer so grab some friends and work together. From the sounds of it medical attention is going to be very important, the faster you can lock down a hospital the better.

Dead matter is still on kickstarter so make sure you back the project soon for awesome rewards and helping to bring this game to life!https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/qisoftware/dead-matter/

The biggest conference of the year is coming up in June! Who is ready for all the exciting announcements?

If you don't know E3 is the time when all the big companies announce next gen games coming throughout the year. This is where we will find out about what the leaders in gaming has been secretly working on such as Nintendo, EA, Microsoft.

All the biggest projects get revealed at this con as well as this is the first time E3 has been opened to the public. Which means all the best cosplay and excited fans get to enjoy the fun. 15,000 tickets have been sold.

Personally I'm really excited to see an update on super Mario odyssey and its rumored that boarderlands 3 will get announced as well.